Three in a row as FTSE climbs again
Progress by telecoms group BT and a clutch of banking stocks helped the FTSE 100 Index bag its third consecutive session of gains today.
The top flight extended its recent rally to hit another three-year high, ending the day 15.1 points higher at 5114.4.
BT was the top blue-chip performer, adding nearly 4% on news that it is setting up a new business unit ensuring rivals gain fair access to its network.
Oil majors BP and Shell crept up as the price of a barrel of US light crude edged back up towards $59 by the end of the session. BP added 3p to 587.5p while Shell rose 1.5p to 517.75p.
The highest Footsie risers today were BT up 8.5p to 226p, Yell rising 15p to 442p, Northern Rock up 19p to 808.5p and Barclays adding 10.5p to 563.5p.
The heaviest fallers were Rolls-Royce down 5.75p to 288p, AstraZeneca off 35p to 2265p, ICI down 3.75p to 266p and Marks & Spencer off 4.75p to 352p.
